4th grade picture
Posted on 01/06/2009 9:16:45 PM PST by smokingfrog
EL DORADO, Kan. | The adoptive parents of a missing Kansas boy who failed to report his disappearance nearly a decade ago are considered “people of interest” in the case as authorities expand their search nationwide, a sheriff said Monday. Butler County Sheriff Craig Murphy told reporters no charges would be filed immediately, while investigators focus on finding Adam Herrman. The boy was 11 when he disappeared in 1999 from a mobile home park in Towanda where he lived with his adoptive parents, Doug and Valerie Herrman. “We are not sure what happened to Adam Herrman,” Murphy said. “We are working it as if it is a death — but we are not leaning one way or the other.” Asked why the adoptive parents have not been arrested, Murphy replied: “’We are not ready is an honest and upfront answer.” Earlier media reports said the boy had a history of running away, but Murphy said investigators have not confirmed that yet. The boy was adopted by the Herrmans when he was 2 1/2 years old. The family has cooperated with investigators, he said. Murphy’s office did not receive a missing persons report until contacted recently by the Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit. He declined to say who tipped them off.
(Excerpt) Read more at kansascity.com ...
Ok,, this story has a minor peeve of mine.
A person you question about a crime, who you do not believe was involved, is a called “witness”. The next category is a “suspect”.
The law enforcement vogue of calling suspects “persons of interest” is dishonest. When there is “reasonable suspicion” to question someone, they are a properly a “suspect”. When there is ultimately enough evidence to establish “probable cause”, they are the “accused, charged, arrested,,,etc”.
This “person of interest” weasel word is some PIO construct, solely designed to not use the word “suspect” to describe the person who they *suspect*. There is no definition of “person of interest” that is not already wholey and adequately included in the term “suspect”.
Its never good for law enforcement to lie and mislead.
Don’t blame Law Enforcement. Try the Left wing Lawyers who sued the Police for naming their client a “Suspect†and “Destroying his reputation†and not charging him with a crime. They now use ‘Person of Interest’ for someone who is not quite a ‘Suspect’ to keep from being sued.
Be prepared for the critics...no one knew he was missing because he was “HOMESCHOOLED.”
I agree, but mostly I think they use that term when they don’t really have any evidence, but are hoping that maybe someone that knows something will come forward as a witness or maybe with some other leads.
FBI started it with Richard Jewell. And its taken off like wildfire.
The point is,,, they ARE the supect. Being “not quite a suspect”, is about like “not quite being pregnant”. The instant the cop no longer sees the person as a mere witness, but as possibly involved, they have become a “suspect”.
Unfortunately, they can’t describe a person as a suspect until they actually become charged. If they are never charged, a department could have a lawsuit on their hands.
I hate the term. But, I understand the fact they want to be very careful with labels.
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